Gale Force

[idler_1814]

For the letter G in lokei's Horatio Hornblower Alphabet Soup ficathon
TITLE: Gale Force
AUTHOR: Idler
CHARACTERS: Hornblower, Bush
RATING: G, Gen
DISCLAIMER: Not mine, not for profit
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Book canon, spoilers from Ship of the Line forward

Comments

[phantomsangel]

Oh, this is just lovely! You have a wonderful way with words, and the first half is so vivid, it sometimes feels like I am in the storm...or seasick with Hornblower. ;)

And the last few lines...oh God. That is just completely BUSH. DAMN MY EYES DAMN MY SOUL.

And Hornblower, completely oblivious to how Bush might truly feel until that last moment.

Ah, a lovely work! Thank you!

[idler_1814]

Wow. Thank you!

The two of them are so different, aren't they? "And Hornblower, completely oblivious"....it's surprising how often that observation describes Hornblower perfectly, despite his relentless self-criticism and reflection.

[black_hound]

*LOVES YOU EVEN MORE*

SO SO SO SO SO PERFECT.

So wonderfully the self torturing Hornblower. And so wonderfully BUSH BUSH BUSH.

It's just like it was torn from the novels. I swear.

[idler_1814]

Thank you!!

As Quarterdeck so insightfully pointed out to me, Hornblower is often in the depths of doubt and self-loathing when he is under extreme physical stress.

I think that Bush, under the same circumstances, is at his best.

It's just like it was torn from the novels.... This is deeply appreciated, and--for me--it's the best comment I could possibly ask for. Thank you!

[sharpiefan]

Oh, Hornblower! He sees what he thinks he observes - and never imagines that it really might not be quite as he thinks.

He rescued Bush from the ignominy of a dockyard post and doesn't see that's precisely what it was for Bush.

Oh, you have to love him for his absolute obliviousness to things at times.

Wonderfully written, as ever.

[idler_1814]

Thank you!

For me, Hornblower's *obliviousness* is a major part of what makes him such a fascinating character. It certainly gives the writer a lot to work with!!

[ashley_pitt]

Oh, geez... this made me cry.

Bush was soo happy to be back on a ship.

Very well written...I could hear the storm,and feel the Nonsuch's desk tilt.

[idler_1814]

Awww...thanks! (though so far I've made one reader seasick and made another cry. Hmmmm...what's next??) ;-)

[romanticalgirl]

God, this was perfect. Perfectly BOTH of them. Hornblower's doubt and inability to see anything good in anything he's done when he's at his lowest point, and his own lack of self-esteem coloring his perceptions of all of those who love him.

And Bush, so very solid and so in charge of his men and his ship and loving nothing more than everything the sea and his girl gives him. Like black_hound said, ripped right out of the novels.

[idler_1814]

Thank you so much for the lovely comment...it means a lot

...Hornblower's own lack of self-esteem coloring his perceptions of all of those who love him. Oh, yes! I had never actually articulated it that way in my own thoughts--but you have it exactly right.